Improvement in stone-cutting machinery



UNITED STATES GEORGE J. VVARDYELL, OF RUTLAND,

PATENT OEErcE.

VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TO THE STEAM STONE CUTTER COMPANY, OF NEWT YORK, N. Y.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 51,27 l dated November 2B, 1865.

To all fwhom it may concern:

. Beit known that I, GEORGE J. WARDWELL, of Rutland,in the county of Rutland and State of Vermont, haveinvented anewand Improved Machine forOuttingStone; and l do hereby de clare that the following is a full, clear, and eXw act description thereof', reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part ot' this specification, in whichy p Figure lis an elevation of one side of the stone-cutting machine andan engine for driving the same mounted upon a track. Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe stone-cutting machine. Fig'. 3 is an elevation ot' one end of the machine, showing the manner of supporting the cutterstandards so that they can be inclined at any desired angle. Figs. et and 5 show the construction ofthe foot-clam ps, which are used for Securing' the cutters together in gangs. Fig. 6, Sheet 2, is a vertical sectional view ot' one p a-ir of cutter-standards with a gang ot cutters arranged therein. Fig. 7 is a front view of a gang ot' cutters with the head and foot clamps applied. Fig. 8 shows the manner of constructing the standards to receive the cutters.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several gures.

This invention relates to certain novel iinprovements on the stone-channelin g machine for which Letters Patent were granted to me on the 10th day of November, 1863. In said machine but one gang of cutters was used, and consequently but one channel could be made in the stone at a time. All the strain and concussions were upon one side ot' the frame of the machine, and the machine was moved backward and forward by a single pinion-wheel applied to one of the rails of the track. There was no provision for cutting close to a bank, and that portion of the quarry-bed which was between the cutters and the rear end of the machine in starting the machine could not be channeled. There was no provision for making inclined channels, as the cutter-standards were permanently fixed to the frame of the machine in a plane perpendicular to this frame. No provision was made for removing the cutters from the channel in the stone when the machine was stationary, and supporting them when they were detached` from the workingbeam for repair or sharpening. These and many other objections attended the use of said machine.

The main object of this invention is to remedy the above-named objections by providing for the use of a gang of cutters upon each side of the frame ot' the machine, outside of the track upon which the machine is moved, and so applying these cutters that they can be i11- clined at any desired angle from a vertical line. and made to ,work as well vwhen inclined as when erect.

Another object of my invention is to provide for feeding the machine up to its work at any desired degree ot speed, which can be regulated with reference to the up and down strokes of the cutters, as circumstances may require; also, for stopping the machine and again starting it forward or backward at pleasure; also, for moving the machine backward or forward without operating the cutters.

Another object ofmy invention is to provide for elevating and supporting the gangs ot' cutters when they are detached from their working-beams, as will be hereinafter described.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand my invention,l will describe its construction and operation.

In theaccompanying drawings, A represents a horizontal frame or carriage, which is suitably braced and adapted for receiving the cutters and the mechanism for operating them and movin g the machine. This frame is provided on its bottom with shoes c, (shown in Figs. l and 3,) which receive the supporting-rails a a ot' the track upon which the machine is moved. The shoes a prevent the frame from havin gany lateral movement, and they serve as guides for it. The rails c a have teeth formed on their inside surfaces, as shown in Fig. 2, to receive spur-wheels c2 a2 on the lower ends of vertical shafts b b. These shafts b are located near the rear end of the frame A, and have their bearings therein. They carry on their upper ends bevel-spur wheels b b', which engage with the teeth ot' and are driven by the pinion-wheels b2 b2 on a horizontal transverse shaft, c. This shaft c has a large spur-wheel, c', keyed on it, and also two ratchet-wheels, c2 c3, between which latter an arm, d, vibrates loosely. The arm d has apawl, d', on each side of it, which can be engaged with or detached from their respect;

ive ratchet-wheels at pleasure. The ratchetteeth of these wheels are pitched in opposite directions, and their respective pawls are adapted to engage with them and to give the shat't c and shafts l) b a forward or backward movement whichever direction it is intended to move the frame A.

Two stay-dogs, d2 d2, are pivotedon top of the rear beam of frame A, for the purpose of preventing backlash. These dogs can be engaged or disengaged with their respectivo ratchetwheels at pleasure.

The main driving-shaft B is supported in bearings c c e, and carries on one end, outside of the frame A, a large belt-wheel, which is not shown in the drawings, for receiving motion from a belt-wheel on an engine that may be arranged behind the machine, to move upon the rails or track with it. The opposite end of the shaftB carries a pinion spur wheel, B', and a vibrating lever, B2, which latter supports a spur-wheel, B3, that is constantlyin gear with the teeth of the pinion B. Lever B2 extends backward and passes through or between an upright segment-guide, c, that is secured upon the rear beam of frame A, to which guide the lever is affixed by means of a transverse pin in an elevated or depressed position, according to the movementit is required of the machine. When said lever is depressed so as to engage the spur-wheels B3 G the machine can be moved backward or forward rapidly without actuating the cutting-tools, provided both of the ratchet-wheels c2 c3 are released from their pawls.

In front of the main driving-shaft B is a horizontal transverse shaft, C', which carries a two-throw ca-m on each end, as will be hereinafter more fully described. This shaft C has a large spur-wheel, D, keyed on it in a plane with the spur-wheels B3 G', so that by raising the rear end of the lever B2 its driving-wheel B3 will be engaged with the teeth of this large spur-wheel D, as shown in Figs. land 2. The camshaft C also has another spur-wheel keyed on it for giving motion to a pinion spur-wheel, C2, which is keyedon a short transverse shaft that is supported in bearings ff, shown in Fig. 2.

A slotted arm, f is secured to one end of the short shaft of wheel C2, to whichv the for ward end of a pitman-rod, f2, is pivoted. The rear end of this rod is pivoted to the upper end of the vibrating pawl-arm d', above-described. The slotted arm or crank f projects on each side of the center of its shaft, and the pitman f2 is pivoted to this arm by means of a stud, g, which passes through the slot, and which can be adjusted and fixed nearer to or farther from the axis of the shaft of the arm, according to the amount of' throw which it is required to give the vibrating arm d. By this arrangement the length of strokes of the vibrating pawl-arm d can be adjusted to a nicety.

E E are two longitudinal beams, which extend forward of the main drivingfshaft B, and which'are arranged near the sides of the; frame A, as shown in Figure 2. These beams are secured near their rear ends to rook-shafts E E', which are supported in the bearings e c e e', and beneath their rear ends india-rubber or metallic springs are suitably applied, as shown at g', Fig. l, the object of which is to move their forward ends downward with considerable force. These beams E E are acted upon by cams g2 g2 on the earn-shaft C', which cams may be so arranged as to elevate and depress the beams simultaneously or alternately, as may be desired.

Near the forward ends of the beams E E, and arranged beneath the same upon the frame A, are stop-blocks h h, upon which the forward ends of these beams strike when they are allowed to fall.

Two props, h h', may be pivoted to the rear sides of the stop-blocks h h, for supporting the forward ends of the beams E E in an elevated position, free from their respective cams, when desired. l

Having described the mechanism for actuating the cutting-tools and moving the machine upon its track forward or backward at pleasure, I will now proceed to describe the construction ot' the cutting-tools and the manner of guiding them and directing them to their work.

In the machine which was secured to me by Letters Patent dated November 10, 1863, I represented but one gang of cutters, which lwas arranged on one side of the frame ot' the machine and outside ot' the track upon which the machine moves. The cutters which I am now about to describe are arranged outside of the track; but I now employ two gangs of cutters, which are supported and guided by means ot' standards arranged on both sides ofthe frame A, so that two channels can be madein the stone simultaneously.

As the standards F F on both sides of the machine are constructed and arranged precisely alike, I will describe those on one side only.

Both standards, F F, are secured at or near their lower ends to a rectangular box, G, which is supported atits forward and rear ends upon the transverse beams at the forward end ot' frame A by means of trunnious t' i. The outer side (longitudinal side) of this box is hinged to the forward end, so that it can be swung open, as shown in Fig. 8, and when closed, as in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, it is secured by means of a staple and bolt, or in anyother suitable man ner.

The standardguide F is secured to the inner side of the box G atan intermediate point between the ends of this box, and the standard F is secured to the inner side ofthe hinged side, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and S, by means of screw-bolts, and steady-pins are used to adjust this standard in a plane parallel with v the standard F. The upper end of the standard F is similarly secured to ahorizontal pivoted gate, j', which .is hinged to a yoke, F2, that is secured rigidly to a standard,-F, as

shown in Figs. 2, 6, and S. By means ot' this yoke the two standards F F' mutually support each other at their upper ends when they are locked together. These two standards are sustained in position by means of an inclined brace, G', consisting of a screw-rod, which is attached to the standard F, and two rods, which are pivoted to plates on the frame A at their lower ends, and connected to a block at their upper ends, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The screw-rod of this brace G passes through the said block and receives nuts for aftixingit rigidly thereto. By forking the lower end ot' the brace G it affords a good support t'or steadying the standards. By means of the nuts on said screw-rod, and the provision for allowing the standards to swing laterally, the latter can be adjusted and tixed rigidlyfat any desired angle for cutting channels obliquely into the stone.

When the standards are arranged in inclined planes it is desirable to employ pulleys over which to pass -the straps that connectthe forward ends ot' the beams to the cutters, as shown in Figs. l and 6, so that some portion of said straps willalways be in avertical line, or in a plane coinciding with that in which the beam E moves. These pulleys, 7c k and le', Fig. 6, are iianged, so that the straps l Z' will not slip oi ot' them, and one ofthe pulleys 7c is adjustable in a slotted sector, k2.

In Figs. 4, 5, G, and 7, I have represented the form ot' cutters which I prefer to employ, and the manner ofconnecting them together in gangs. These cutters S consist ot' long strips ot'steel of an equal thickness, having their lower ends brought to a chisel edge and upset, so that their cuttingedges are wider than their upper portions. These strips are secured together, as shown in Fig. 7, by means ot' head and foot clasps, or clamps Tand U, both of which are constructed alike with the slight difference that the head-clasp T is adapted to iit corrugations which are formed on the surfaces ofthe chisel or cutter stems, as shownin Figs. 6 and 7.

The clasp T consists oi" two plates, which are bolted together by transverse bolts, and also a packing-block, p, which is used for drawing the cutter stems together edgewise.

The two clamps T U have grooved ribs formed on their sides, the grooves of which receive projections or tenons, which are formed on the standards F F and thus the cutters are held together between said standards and gui-ded in their reciprocating movements.

rlhe cutting-edges ofthe cutter-stems are stepped or arranged one below the other, so that one cutter, the largest, will operate first, then another, and so on; and as these cutting edges wear away the clamp U is adjusted upward until the stems are too short for use, when they are removed and longer stems introduced in their stead.

The clamps T U are both provided on each end with loops S S', which have straps connected to them that are suitably secured to the ends of the beams E E. The straps Z are connected to the loops of the lower or foot clamps, U, of the two gangs of cutters, and the straps l' L are connected to the loops of the upper clamps,T. By this mode of connecting the cutters to the beams E E the latter act upon the former in ascending as well as in descending, and as the straps are flexible very little jar will be communicated to the feed mechanism.

It will be necessary, in moving the machine backward and forward, to reverse the cutters, so that their cutting-cdges will always occupy the same relative position to the cuts in the stone, and for this reason the two outside standards, Ff, are hinged, so that they can be quickly swung open and the cutters reversed.

It will, of course, be necessary in reversing the gangs ot' cutters to detach the straps l l from their respective clamps.

One of the cutter-stems of each gang should have a hole through its upper end, as shown in Fig. 7, for the purpose ot' receiving a hook that is attached to a rope or chain for elevating these gangs of cutters. The rope is not shown in the drawings, but the tlanged drum or windlass J upon which it is wound is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This drum is located near the center of the forward end ofthe machine, and on one end is a ratchet-wheel, t, which is acted upon by a dog, a, for preventing the drum J from rotating backward when not required to do so. The shaft of said drum has a hand-crank on its forward end, by means of which a person can wind up the rope or chain.

Fach one of the inner standards, F, is provided on its upper end with a pulley, n, over which said rope or chain passes as the cutters are elevated or lowered.

While I have described one form of critter I do not coniine myself to any particular form or mode of connecting them together in gangs, but reserve to myself the right to alter or modify them as circumstances may require.

In my patented machinepot November 10, 1863, it was necessary to remove the cap or yoke which connected the cutter-standards together' at their upper ends; but it will be seen from the above description that the caps which I now use are so constructed that they remain permanently attached to their respective standards and yet admit of the cutters being removed or replaced at pleasure.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. So constructing the yoke F2 and applying it to the standard F that it will admit of the cutters being removed from the machine or again replaced at pleasure, substantially as described.

2. The combination of an open yoke, F2, with a hinged standard-guide, F', substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

3. Providing for adjusting the cutters, together with their guides, and setting them at any desired angle, for the purpose and in the manner substantially as described.

4. The pivoted standard-boxes G G, arranged on the sides of the frame A, and adapted for receiving the standards F F, and olrnerating substantially as described.

5. Arranging two gangs ofreoprooating cutters upon a frame, A, so as to Work outside of the track upon which the machine is moved, substantially as described.

6. The application ofawindlass, J, toastonecutting machine for the purpose of lifting and supporting the cutters, substantially in the manner described.

7. The combination of the feed-Wheels C D, shifting-pinion B3, and movable arm or lever B2, with the vibrating beams E E, substantially as described.

` GEO. J. WARDWELL. Witnesses:

Y BEN K. CHASE, W. G. VEAZEY. 

